Recent content by mikedixon243

well crap. looks like that dream is shot down until i get a bit more knowledgable on the correct laser that is needed. thanks for all the good info though!

im not at all set on using CO2 either, it just seamed at the time the most reasonable way to go. I fully expect to pay 1,000's just to build the laser portion of this machine.

well sls uses liquid polymers that solidify when exposed to the laser. in this machine it just uses the laser to weld/fuse the powdered metals. so i figured a laser that is strong enough to weld, could be fitted using mirrors to an existing CNC, and then threw the magic of code we could "print"

also i have access to night vision to assist with aligning the IR lasers

i was an auto mechanic for several years, i am now an engineering student, and working for a 3d printing company. i want to build a metal printing 3d printer. there is one that i watched a video on that uses a 400-1kw laser to weld together metal powders layer by layer to create a finished part...

I am considering 40w CO2, so 10-25 of them. It would have to be average, as the welding machine could be running for hours at a time. the reason for the range of power is for different materials being welded.

Man this is old, haha. I am also looking to build a similar set up. Combining multiple "weaker" (cheaper) lasers into one stronger output. I hope to reach 400w-1kw for welding purposes. Did you ever find out the info you needed? did you build yours? if so could you share?